St. Jason

Is that the same Charter that say they offer a payment plan to make it more cost effective???

Surely from that point it was easy for them, if the payment didn't go through it would be us contacted ny the bank wouldn't it? Then it's automatically re-submitted for payment, if then it doesn't go through you send a steward to that seat and make sure said customer isn't there! I understand that the fan could just sit elsewhere, but how many fans go alone? You normally sit with mates!

Exactly right, in effect the only work done for a instalment plan was for us, the customer to set up a standing order with our bank to pay £76 per month for 6 months. No one was borrowing money of anyone, Saints give me a ticket and I pay them, in fact if anything I end up lending them money. I pay in advance for a product I have no real knowledge if i'm going to enjoy, The Dutch fiasco, and there is always the possibility that the club could fold before the end of the season, meaning I'd paid for nothing!!

so as it stands we're down by 70 fans, just under 30% of the poll. If this is repeated through regular, non internet supporters Saints have struck a massive own goal!

One would of thought Big Nic would of at least phoned Mr. Luker and told him what was happening last Friday so he could the let his staff know this morning!!!

I know a lot on here have no time for the echo, but the poll's they are running are alarming reading for Saints, over 50% saying they will not renew and something like 30% saying it's because of 'no instalment' http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/8194104.Saints_release_season_ticket_details/

Fair enough matey, you've got me there, I still think with such a large portion (I have no figures or stats to back that statement) using the plan facility notice, loads of notice should have been given as to allow me to save!

As sated elsewhere, I don't think people are questioning the morales of debt and if we should enter in to more debt, the point here is the Club have withdrawn their offer with no notice!!

Same as me now moosh, my concern is will I go to every game now, can I be arsed to get down to the ticket office week in week out! You are right about the charter...........surely they are not going to publish one for every season though??

Didn't realise it was 2011 already?? Seriously though, are we to have a new fans charter every season then? Why did this one only last 6 months? Surely at the end of the charter it should be outlined that the charter was "for this season only" Just a thought!!

Quite happy to do it last year, the year before, the year before, the year before, the year before etc Quite happy to put it in the Fans Charter - "facilities for disabled supporters and their enablers. these can be booked at the ticket office in person or by telephone. - a payment plan for season tickets to make them cost-effective." The club offered this facility, which I happily used for years, now they withdraw said facility which is offered as part of the fans charter!! Happy reading - http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/staticFiles/5f/44/0,,10280~148575,00.pdf

Sorry Minty, just clarify, I'm not for one minute comparing Liehber/Cortesse with Lowe/Cowen, just saying that the communication (lack of) is comparable!

Sad I know but it might make a difference http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=127219507306704#!/group.php?gid=127219507306704&ref=mf

Exactly right mate. I want a season ticket, my son will be gutted when I tell him he hasn't got one either now. I simply cannot afford a one of payment NOW!!! Seems the bright new future we were promised may contain some of the dark old failing of the previous regime, I mean for the ticket office to simply reply with "I don't know what's happening, we only found out this morning" would it not of been better to simply not reply, not until they had something to say anyway??

That's fair enough, how about this option :- December 18th 2009 Southampton Football Club Statement; Dear fans, we have been bowled over with the superb level of support we've had this season. We found ourselves in league 1 playing at our lowest level of football for some 50 years, yet we now find ourselves with not only higher league gates than last year, we have actually thousands more season ticket holders than last year, what a credit you all are to the City of Southampton. With Christmas fast approaching we are happy to once again offer a halve season ticket but please be advised, this will be the last season we'll be offering the instalment plan. We hope by giving this much notice, that our loyal and much loved fans will be able to put a little to one side each month to enable your fantastic continued support. kind regards, Big Nic

Will the club no longer play 'loan players' then???

Diby, mate, for a lot of people it is and will be a big deal. A lot of fans are on low income or have massive over heads with large mortgages etc. For a lot of fans the instalment plan was the only they could afford to go. Even the unemployed could afford to do it that way. After the last 2 years with the economic situation the way it is, a lot of previously sound, affluent people have lost loads, businesses, house etc, a lot of people through no fault of their own now find themselves with bad credit ratings and the instalment plan was a way to carry on supporting your team!!

I'm truly gutted to say 'no' i will not be renewing my 2 season tickets. i have no real issue with the cost going up I just cannot afford to buy 2 NOW without the payment plan. If the club had warned us that after xx years of using the instalment plan that this was to be the last season I'd of saved, but to be told i have 30 days to find the full amount is not on, not in this current climate anyway!!

Your user name is a worry, will you be able to stump up the cash??

Maybe your location says a bit about your attitude to all this! Unfortunately I'm not lucky enough to live in the lovely green surroundings on the edge of the forest, and as such do not have the £732 just kicking around for a season ticket. Life, at the momment is tough out here in the building game. I'm not knocking you or anyone, the instalment plan was, is a real life saver for a lot of fans who without this option simply won't be able to go!

You arrogant ****

If you've got a good rating mate, if not your fooked! My rating is ****e at the mo through a tax issue, and this issue has been hanging over my head for the last 3 years BUT I've never had a problem being accepted on to the instalment plan! I think the point most are trying to make is if we'd been forwarned we could of indeed made other arrangements, put a £10 a week to one side, kids clean cars etc etc but to be told you have 30 days to pay or do one is not on!

So because we've been "saved" by Mr Liehber, if we dare question a decision we're moaning? I've had a season ticket for 20 years and as far as I can remember I've always paid on the plan! If the club had said "2009/2010 is the last season on the plan" then yes, I'd of saved, but to be told on June 1st that I've to pay in full for both season tickets by June 31st is not on! If that's moaning just for moaning's sake then yes, I'm a moaner and the "club can do without fans like me"!!

Not that easy if you've has any sort of financial difficulty's in the past though! Just feel this going to hurt a lot of fans and this will be reflected in a attendance drop!

If you have one and if you can afford the interest!! If it ain't broke don't fix it, the instalment plan has worked for years with no problems, you watch sales slump!!